Cassian-13: Chapter 1

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Chapter 1

High Dominion Calendar date: day 173 of the year 226

Blood dripped from his right hand he could no longer feel. He’d be surprised if a single bone remained unbroken. Each drop joined a growing pool surrounding his bare feet. It contained more blood from the three men lying motionless on the cold vinyl floor than his own.

With every breath, the scraping of broken rib bones echoed within his heaving chest. But his grin spread wide on his face as he slipped his tongue across his teeth, none of which were broken or chipped. Amazing. Fucking amazing.

The cheering inside the cafeteria hall was deafening, and grew even louder at the sight of the guards moving in. Even more aggressive. Hisses from doors mechanics alerted the crowd that more guards would enter the scene, which lowered the noise, allowing barked commands of those same armed men to be heard, sending everyone to their cells.

More men came into the hall, these ones wearing white garments and dragging white stretchers behind them. Their hesitation to get too close alerted the guards to make their move and surround him, beat-sticks at the ready.

The first and biggest man they attended to might never fully recover. A gouged eye, broken jaw, and possibly an internal organ rearrangement would do that to a guy. The aggressors, each bigger and stronger, had attacked from all sides. At once. That didn’t matter because no rules were laid. A mistake on their part.

The guards called for him to back up, so he did, realizing his ankle was sprained or broken. It didn’t hurt much when no weight lay on it, so probably broken. Clearing the red pool and leaving bloody footprints in his wake, he watched the white-draped men who released their gaze from him to move in on his victims.

The hall had gone quiet, so when a heavy clap bounced around its walls, he wasn’t sure where it came from until a deep, authoritative voice spoke behind him.

“Impressive, my boy. Well done.”

With a hobble, he spun to face a tall man wearing a crisp military outfit. Not a single crease out of place. His posture matched his dress, and his many wrinkles and scars probably told stories to make even the toughest men piss their pants.

A meeker man at his side fidgeted with his clipboard and wore a working suit that needed a press. And eyes refusing to meet his. So, he returned his attention to the man in command. However, the scared little mouse spoke next.

“You have been, uh, selected to take part of the…” he cleared his throat, “the hunter’s program.”

“Yes, my boy,” the military man said. “We are offering you an opportunity of a lifetime. Be part of the Hunter’s Guild and you will be handsomely rewarded.”

He laughed and spat up blood. “I fucking doubt it,” he said with his best shit-eating grin.

“Oh, don’t get me wrong, you’ll have to earn your riches, but trust me, they will be there.”

“And if I say no?”

“Then you stay here,” the tall man said, spreading his arms wide to remind him of where he stood.

“And if I say yes?”

“Freedom.” The military guy provided his own wonderful shit-eating grin. “After the procedures and agreements, of course.”

“You would have to undergo an enhance…” the mouse started but was interrupted.

“Details! What do you say, my boy?”

He shrugged. Damn, that right shoulder was in bad shape. He held the silence while staring at the military man who never wavered. “Fuck it. Why not,” he finally said, “Where do I sign?”